Mesophelioma

Mesophelioma is a common misspelling of the word "mesothelioma." Mesothelioma, a very aggressive form of asbestos cancer, is caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a hazardous mineral that was known for its insulating properties, used throughout the first three-quarters of the twentieth century in more than 5,000 products, including many construction products such as insulation, roofing, tiles, drywall, and many more.

Mesothelioma cancer can be caused when asbestos fibers circulate through the air and are inhaled. The inhaled fibers can become lodged in the chest area and may later develop into different types of mesothelioma disease such as peritoneal mesothelioma or pericardial mesothelioma.

Generally, like most cancer, mesothelioma treatment involves chemotherapy and radiation. Unfortunately, this form of cancer has been difficult to treat and the life expectancy after a mesothelioma diagnosis is fairly short, though improving with new drugs like Alimta® and Carboplatin. Those most often diagnosed with mesothelioma include individuals who were exposed at jobs where asbestos was used, including shipyard workers, insulators, electricians, plumbers, welders, and many others.

Other common misspellings:

• Mesothalioma
• Mesothaloma
• Mesothemioma
• Mezotheloma
• Mesotheoma
• Mesothiloma
• Measothlioma
• Memothelioma
• Mesaltheleoma
• Mesatheoma

Source

National Cancer Institute
www.cancer.gov